Est. 2019

history of DWS

In April of 2019, 6 friends, each with a bottle of whiskey in hand, gathered to form what is now known as the Detroit Whiskey Society. An invite only social club designed for both the whiskey curious and the whiskey enthusiast, regular club meetings are designed to explore the world of whiskey, focused on the history, production, and of course, tasting juice from around the globe.

Since its founding, DWS has grown to over 30 members, developed the DWS Single Barrel Program, and have given back to its neighbors through community outreach. We are a brotherhood rooted in Detroit, and rooted with spirit. We are the Detroit Whiskey Society.

Detroit Whiskey Society is a private member only club. Join the club via invite only.

email sign up

Updates from the Society

the crew

Club Roster

David J. Blake (founder)
Ronald R. Miles (founder)
John F. Gignac (founder)
Theodore K. Beatty (founder)
Aaron Lanctot (founder)
Chris Gadoua (founder)
Mike Pelfrey
Dan Hester
Mike Cuneo
Timothy Sax
Thomas Demeter
Jimmy Fontaine
Pradeep Johns
Judah Sax
Terrance Thomas
Steve Burton
Erik Kunttu
Darin Clinton
Uncle John Gettel
Luke Safranek
Noah Ponte
Paul Carollo
Dave Bennett
Todd Williams
Jarrod Pitsick
Joe VanBecelaere
Tim Justin
Jeff Blevins
Brian Kim
Michael Blake
Austin Holsinger
Ira Goldberg
Anton Dirnberger
Dave Beatty
Cory Wright

We appreciate the hand crafted art of America's native spirit, the growing Michigan whiskey presence and the world's greatest spirit.

the whiskey

Reserves List

Aberfeldy 12
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Monkey Shoulder
Jameson Black Barrel
Four Roses Single Barrel
Angle’s Envy
Henry McKenna 10
Old Ezra 7
Bookers
Old Weller Antique 107
Sazerac Rye
Blanton’s Single Barrel
Stagg Jr.
Old Weller Special Reserve
Laphroaig Select
Wild Turkey Rare Breed
GlenDronach 12
Highland Park 12
Lagavulin 16
Old Forester 1870
Wilderness Trail
Redbreast 12 Cask Strength
Yellow Spot 12 Year
Two James J. Riddle
Leipers Fork Old Natches Trace
The Balvenie Caribbean Cask 14 Year
The Balvenie Double Wood 12 Year
The Balvenie Peat Week 2017
Angel’s Envy ‘19 Butter Run Single Barrel
Glenfiddich Grand Cru
Whistlepig Farmstock Rye
High West Yippee Ki Yay
Detroit City Dist. Butchers Cut – BR Single Barrel
Michter’s Single Barrel Rye
Old Forester Rye
Colonel E.H. Taylor Straight Rye
Knob Creek Single Barrel Rye
Hudson Manhattan Rye
Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch
Motor City Gas Dirty Stache
Powers 12
Yellowstone Select Bourbon
High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram
Four Roses Small Batch Select
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Lagavulin Offerman Edition
Amador Double Barrel
Few Bourbon Whiskey
Johnnie Walker Black
Little Book Chapter 3
Motor City Gas Ale No!
Motor City Gas 2nd Gear
Motor City Gas Toasted Crusader
Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky
Stranahan’s American Single Malt
Octomore 10.1
Traverse City Whiskey Barrel Proof Bourbon
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Bourbon
Templeton Rye 6 Year
Heaven Hill Green Label
Larceny Single Barrel
Larceny Barrel Proof A120
Willett Bourbon
Detroit City Distillery Shutdown Single Barrel
Valentine Mayor Pingree Blue Label
Redwood Empire Pipedream
Knappogue Castle 12
Wild Turkey 101
Russell’s Reserve Private Select
Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit
Russell’s Reserve 6 Yr Rye
Widow Jane Whiskey Distilled From a Rye Mashbill
Balcones Texas Single Malt
Balcones Lineage Texas Single Malt
Balcones Texas Pot Still Bourbon
Balcones Texas Rye
Balcones Baby Blue
Buffalo Trace SiB
Bulleit SiB
Old Forester Barrel Strength SiB
Valentine Mayor Pingree Red Label SiB
Valentine Mayor Pingree Orange Label SiB
Bernheim
Old Fitzgerald 9 Year
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C919
Elijah Craig Toasted Oak
Wild Turkey Master’s Keep 2020
Old Pepper Single Barrel
Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye
Sam Houston 14
1792 Aged 12 Years
1792 Full Proof SiB

Never delay kissing a pretty girl or opening a bottle of whiskey.”

– Ernest Hemingway